I-44 Project Bridge Rebuild

Districts Impacted

The proposed project would provide an opportunity for up to thirty-one (31) bridges to be either replaced or long-term rehabilitated along the I-44 corridor between Range Line Road (Loop 49) in Joplin and Route Z in Halltown. There are six bridges along I-44 in this area that are showing signs of major deterioration and must be replaced.

I-44 is a major freight route important to the nation’s commerce. A number of large national retailers have major distribution centers along I-44 in Missouri and others depend on I-44 for cross-country shipping.

Current traffic volumes in Jasper and Lawrence counties operate near capacity for single lane operations especially during morning and afternoon peak commute times, sometimes exceeding limits for single lane operation. Volumes also increase in the Joplin and Springfield areas. Additionally, during the summer months traffic volumes further increase as travelers make their way across the highway corridor to reach destinations in Oklahoma, St. Louis, Lake of the Ozarks and the Branson/Tri-Lakes area via Springfield.